Golf bag hood

ABSTRACT

A hood including one or more straps for connecting the hood to a golf bag is disclosed. In general, the straps are formed of an elastic material (e.g., bungee, rubber, or the like) suitable for connecting a bottom portion of the hood to the golf bag. The hood is formed of either a woven material (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, or the like) and/or a non-woven material (e.g., plastic, metal, and the like) such that the hood is capable of protecting golf clubs from the environment and/or abuse during travel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to golf equipment and, in particular, to a hood for a golf bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many golf bags include a hood to protect golf clubs from the environment and/or from abuse during transport. Typically, golf bag hoods are attached to the golf bag utilizing metal snaps, metal clamps, or a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®). These attachment types can wear out or may be difficult to engage. In the case of metal snaps and clamps, the hoods may become difficult to connect to the golf bag because, for example, they oxidize over time. Therefore, there is a need in the art for golf bag hoods that do not substantially wear out over time and/or are not excessively difficult to engage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include hoods for golf bags that include at least one strap (e.g., a bungee strap, rubber strap, nylon strap, or the like) for connecting the hood to a golf bag. The hood includes a first side wall portion, wherein the first side wall portion includes a first upper end, a first lower end, a first forward end, and a first rearward end. The hood also includes a second side wall portion detachably connected to the first side wall portion via a zipper, the second side wall portion including a second upper end, a second lower end, a second forward end, and a second rearward end. Furthermore, the first lower end includes a first elastic strap connected to it, and the second lower end includes a second elastic strap connected to it. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the first elastic strap is suitably configured to connect the first side wall portion to a hook on a first side of a golf bag, and the second elastic strap is suitably configured to connect the second side wall portion to a hook on the second side of the golf bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, where like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the figures, and:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of hood for a golf bag; and

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the hood of FIG. 1 connected to a golf bag in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized, and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not by way of limitation.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of a hood 100 for a golf bag in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Hood 100 includes a side wall 110 connected to a side wall 150 via a connector 120. Connector 120 may be any apparatus and/or device suitably configured to detachably connect side wall 110 to side wall 150. In one exemplary embodiment, connector 120 is a zipper. In another embodiment, connector 120 is a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®). In addition, the invention contemplates that connector 120 may be any connector known in the art or developed in the future.

Side walls 110 and 150 may be formed of any material suitable to protect golf clubs from environmental conditions and/or damage during transport. Side walls 110 and 150, in one exemplary embodiment, are formed of a woven material. Suitable woven materials include, but are not limited to, synthetic fibers (e.g., nylons and polypropylenes), natural fibers (e.g., cotton), and the like. In another exemplary embodiment, side walls 110 and 150 are formed of a non-woven material. Suitable non-woven materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, metal, rubber, and the like material(s).

In addition, side wall 110 may be formed of one or more woven materials and/or one or more non-woven materials. Likewise, side wall 150 may be formed of one or more woven materials and/or one or more non-woven materials. Moreover, side walls 110 and 150 may be formed of the same or substantially similar materials, or may be formed of substantially different materials. For example, side wall 110 may be formed of a woven material, whereas side wall 150 may be formed of a non-woven material. In another example, side wall 110 may be formed of a woven or non-woven material, whereas side wall 150 may be formed of a different woven or non-woven material, respectively. In a further example, side wall 110 may be formed of two or more materials, and side wall 150 is formed of at least one different material.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, side wall 110 includes a lower end 112, an upper end 114, a forward end 116, and a rearward end 118. Likewise, side wall 150 includes a lower end 152, an upper end 154, a forward end 156, and a rearward end 158. Lower ends 112 and/or 152 each include a strap (e.g., strap 130 and strap 160) suitably configured to connect hood 100 to a golf bag.

Straps 130 and 160 may be formed of any material capable of forming a strap and connecting hood 100 to a golf bag. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, straps 130 and 160 are elastic straps (i.e., straps capable of being stretched or expanded and resuming their former shape). In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, straps 130 and 160 are bungee straps manufactured by John Howard Company of Chino, Calif. In another exemplary embodiment, straps 130 and 160 are rubber straps. In other exemplary embodiments, straps 130 and 160 are formed of nylon, polypropylene, or the like materials. As such, the invention contemplates that straps 130 and 160 may be formed of any strap material known in the art or developed in the future.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, straps 130 and 160 are formed of substantially the same material. In another exemplary embodiment, straps 130 and 160 are formed of substantially different materials. For example, strap 130 may be a bungee strap, whereas strap 160 may be a rubber strap. In another example, strap 130 may be a nylon strap, whereas strap 160 is a bungee strap or rubber strap. Moreover, hood 100 may include only one of straps 130 and 160 or more than two straps.

Strap 130 includes at least one connector 135. Similarly, strap 160 also includes at least one connector 165. Connectors 135 and 165, in one exemplary embodiment, are knob-like structures such that connectors 135 and 165 are capable of “catching” on a hook mechanism of a golf bag. In another exemplary embodiment, connectors 135 and 165 are hooks suitably configured to latch with a loop, corner, or other protrusion of the golf bag.

In one exemplary embodiment, strap 130 is connected to side wall 110 via an enclosed, tube-like structure 140 having rings 142 on each end. Similarly, strap 160 is connected to side wall 150 via an enclosed, tube-like structure 170 having rings 172 on each end. Notably, the invention contemplates that straps 130 and 160 may be connected to side walls 110 and 160, respectively, in any suitable manner (e.g., sewn, glued, and the like).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a golf bag 200 including a hood 300, wherein hood 300 is similar to any of the embodiments of golf bag 100, discussed above. Golf bag 200 includes a generally tubular body 210 with an open top end 220, a closed bottom end 230, and a spinal axis 240 extending longitudinally between top end 220 and bottom end 230 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Top end 220 is defined by a throat structure 250 similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,328 issued to John A. Solheim, which patent is hereby incorporated by reference, in its entirety. Moreover, throat structure 250 includes one or more hooks 255 (either integrated or separate) to engage one or more straps (e.g., straps 130 and/or 160) such that hood 300 may become connected to golf bag 200.

Golf bag 200 also includes a shoulder strap 270 and a shoulder strap 370, wherein shoulder strap 270 includes an upper end 272 connected to body 210 at a location 274 proximate top end 220 and a lower end 276 connected to body 210 at a location 278, wherein location 278 is generally intermediate top end 220 and a bottom end 230. Shoulder strap 270 may also include an elongated pad 280 between upper end 272 and lower end 276.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, location 274 is on one side of a spinal axis 240 while location 278 is on the opposite side of spinal axis 240. This orientation of locations 274 and 278 forms a substantially straight line extending between locations 274 and 278 to traverse spinal axis 240. In addition, the invention contemplates that locations 274 and 278 may be on the same side of spinal axis 240. Furthermore, the invention contemplates that locations 274 and 278 may both be on spinal axis 240. Further still, location 274 may be on spinal axis 240 while location 278 may be on either side of spinal axis 240, or vice versa.

Similarly, shoulder strap 370 has an upper end 372 and a lower end 376 connected to body 210 at a location 374 and a location 378, respectively. Shoulder strap 370 includes an elongated pad 380 between upper end 372 and lower end 376. Furthermore, location 374 is on one side of a spinal axis 240 while location 378 is on the opposite side of spinal axis 240. The orientation of locations 374 and 378 forms a substantially straight line extending between locations 374 and 378 to traverse spinal axis 240 similar to locations 274 and 278, discussed above. Also similar to above, the invention contemplates that locations 374 and 378 may be on the same side of spinal axis 240. Furthermore, locations 374 and 378 may both be on spinal axis 240. Further still, location 374 may be on spinal axis 240 while location 378 may be on either side of spinal axis 240, or vice versa.

FIG. 2 also illustrates that locations 274 and 378 may be on the same side of spinal axis 240. In addition, locations 274 and 378 may be on opposite side of spinal axis 240. Furthermore, locations 274 and 378 may both be on spinal axis 240. Further still, location 274 may be on spinal axis 240 while location 378 may be on either side of spinal axis 240, or location 378 may be on spinal axis 240 while location 274 may be on either side of spinal axis 240.

Similarly, locations 374 and 278 may be on the same side of spinal axis 240, or on opposite sides of spinal axis 240. Furthermore, locations 374 and 278 may both be on spinal axis 240. Further still, location 374 may be on spinal axis 240 while location 278 may be on either side of spinal axis 240, or location 278 may be on spinal axis 240 while location 374 may be on either side of spinal axis 240.

When locations 274 and 278 are connected on opposite sides of spinal axis 240, a substantially straight line that traverses spinal axis 240 is created. Likewise, when locations 374 and 378 are connected on opposite sides of spinal axis 240, a substantially straight line that traverses spinal axis 240 is also created.

In one exemplary embodiment, golf bag 200 includes a bag stand 290 connected to it. Bag stand 290 may be any bag stand known in the art or developed in the future. However, typical bag stands generally include two retractable legs positioned on each of the lateral sides of golf bag 200. Bag stand 290 is connected to body 210 substantially opposite spinal axis 240 so that when a user puts golf bag 200 down, legs from bag stand 290 extend outwardly from body 210 such that golf bag 200 is propped up.

Golf bag 200 is preferably carried by a user with shoulder strap 270 looped over the user's right shoulder and shoulder strap 370 looped over the user's left shoulder. This results in upper end 372 being considerably longer than upper end 272 to properly position pad 380 on the user's left shoulder. With this, shoulder straps 270 and 370 form an “X-shaped” pattern on the user's back.

Since shoulder straps 270 and 370 may be independent of each other (i.e., are not connected to one another), it will be understood that golf bag 200 may be carried by utilizing only one of shoulder straps 270 and 370. This is an important advantage when carrying golf bag 200 short distances, such as from a putting green to the next tee area on a golf course. Furthermore, either one of shoulder straps 270 and 370 may be removed from golf bag 200 if it is desired to employ a single-strap arrangement.

Shoulder strap 270 has an adjustment device 284 disposed on lower end 276 for adjusting the overall length of strap 270, which length is measured between location 274 and location 278. Similarly, shoulder strap 370 has an adjustment device 384 disposed on lower end 376 for adjusting the overall length of strap 370, which length is measured between locations 374 and 378. By utilizing adjustment devices 284 and 384, shoulder straps 270 and 370 may have their overall lengths adjusted independently, as desired. Further adjustment devices (not shown) may be provided on upper ends 272 and 372, and/or on lower ends 276 and 376 of shoulder straps 270 and 370 in addition to, or in lieu of, adjustment devices 284 and 384. Upper ends 272 and 372 are secured in slots formed in throat structure 250 at locations 274 and 374. Lower ends 276 and 376 may extend through rings (not shown) mounted on body 210 at locations 278 and 378. Alternatively, lower ends 276 and/or 376 may be connected directly (e.g., sewn) to body 210 at locations 278 and 378.

A handle 253 is provided on body 210 near top end 220, and a handle 256 is provided on body 210 near bottom end 230, although handles 253 and/or 256 may be excluded. Golf bag 200, optionally, includes an accessory pocket 260 and/or an accessory pocket 265 mounted on body 210.

Benefits, advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims or the invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless explicitly so stated, but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. 

1. A hood for a golf bag, comprising: a first side wall portion including: a first upper end, a first lower end, a first forward end, and a first rearward end; a second side wall portion detachably coupled to the first side wall portion via a zipper, the second side wall portion including: a second upper end, a second lower end, a second forward end, and a second rearward end; a first elastic strap coupled to the first lower end; and a second elastic strap coupled to the second lower end.
 2. The hood of claim 1, wherein the first elastic strap is suitably configured to couple the first side wall portion to a first side of a golf bag, and the second elastic strap is suitably configured to couple the second side wall portion to a second side of the golf bag.
 3. The hood of claim 1, wherein the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are formed of a non-woven material.
 4. The hood of claim 3, wherein the non-woven material is one of plastic.
 5. The hood of claim 1, wherein the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are formed of a woven material.
 6. The hood of claim 5, wherein the woven material is one of nylon, polypropylene.
 7. The hood of claim 1, wherein the first elastic strap and the second elastic strap are bungee straps.
 8. The hood of claim 1, wherein the first elastic strap and the second elastic strap are rubber straps.
 9. The hood of claim 1, wherein the first elastic strap and the second elastic strap are different types of elastic straps.
 10. The hood of claim 9, wherein the first elastic strap is a bungee strap and the second elastic strap is a rubber strap.
 11. A golf bag, comprising: a body defining a generally tubular compartment, the compartment including an open top end and a closed bottom end; a throat structure defining the open top end of the compartment, the throat structure comprising a first hook coupled to a first side of the throat structure and a second hook coupled to a second side of the throat structure substantially opposite the first side; and a hood detachably coupled proximate to the open top end, the hood comprising: a first side wall portion including: a first upper end, a first lower end, a first forward end, and a first rearward end; a second side wall portion detachably coupled to the first side wall portion, the second side wall portion including: a second upper end, a second lower end, a second forward end, and a second rearward end; a first elastic strap coupled to the first lower end; a second elastic strap coupled to the second lower end; and wherein: the first side wall portion is detachably coupled to the second side wall portion via a zipper, the first elastic strap is detachably coupled to the first hook, and the second elastic strap is detachably coupled to the second hook.
 12. The hood of claim 11, wherein the first elastic strap is suitably configured to couple the first side wall portion to the first hook, and the second elastic strap is suitably configured to couple the second side wall portion to the second hook.
 13. The hood of claim 11, wherein the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are formed of a non-woven material.
 14. The hood of claim 13, wherein the non-woven material is one of plastic, metal
 15. The hood of claim 11, wherein the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are formed of a woven material.
 16. The hood of claim 15, wherein the woven material is one of nylon, polypropylene.
 17. The hood of claim 11, wherein the first elastic strap and the second elastic strap are bungee straps.
 18. The hood of claim 11, wherein the first elastic strap and the second elastic strap are rubber straps.
 19. The hood of claim 11, wherein the first elastic strap and the second elastic strap are different types of elastic straps.
 20. The hood of claim 19, wherein the first elastic strap is a bungee strap and the second elastic strap is a rubber strap. 